Cabinet plans dolphin breeding ban
State Secretary Erkens wants to phase out dolphin keeping, but Dolfinarium will remain open for now.
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The cabinet is working on a breeding ban for dolphins. State Secretary Silvio Erkens ultimately wants to phase out the keeping of dolphins in the Netherlands, but Dolfinarium in Harderwijk will not have to close immediately.
According to Erkens, dolphins in captivity cannot display enough natural behaviour. He expects the breeding ban could take effect in about two years. This is therefore a policy intention; the precise regulations still need to be worked out.
Dolfinarium currently has 22 dolphins. According to Erkens, those animals cannot easily be released into the wild. He therefore wants to work with the park to find a future for the existing group. An immediate ban on keeping the animals would, the state secretary says, lead to far-reaching choices that he considers undesirable.
For now, the new policy mainly means that no new generation of dolphins will be born. The cabinet is therefore opting for a gradual phase-out rather than immediate closure. Erkens also wants to discuss with Dolfinarium what role the park could play in public information and education.
Dolfinarium says it does not share concerns about the welfare of dolphins under human care and, according to director Alex Tiebot, has not agreed to a breeding ban. The park warns that separating males and females or using long-term contraception could affect their social lives and health.
The announcement comes shortly after a ruling by the College van Beroep voor het bedrijfsleven (CBb). On 6 October, the college overturned two orders subject to penalty payments concerning animal presentations and a concert, because it found that the facts had not been established properly and verifiably. A third order, concerning visitors being able to touch dolphins, did remain in force.
The ruling concerned compliance with the existing zoo licence, not a breeding ban. The political debate is now shifting towards how animal welfare, the future of the existing dolphins and the park's operations should be reconciled. There is still no final decision or timetable for the phase-out.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The cabinet is preparing a breeding ban for dolphins.
- Dolfinarium in Harderwijk keeps 22 dolphins.
- The precise regulations and start date have not yet been determined.
- The CBb overturned two orders subject to penalty payments and upheld a third.
Left
Arguments The government should end dolphin breeding and keeping more quickly, because animal welfare should not be subordinate to entertainment or business interests.
Values Animals have intrinsic value, and the state has a responsibility for animals that cannot choose for themselves.
Consequences A rapid phase-out provides clarity, but also requires a careful plan for the existing animals and employees.
Centre
Arguments A breeding ban with a gradual phase-out combines a clear long-term direction with care for the animals already there.
Values Administrative feasibility, legal certainty and verifiable animal welfare.
Consequences It prevents abrupt closure, but may mean that the transition takes a long time and that public criticism continues.
Right
Arguments The government should be cautious about prescribing how an existing park operates. As long as licences and welfare standards are complied with, there should be room for education and visitors.
Values Property rights, freedom of enterprise and proportionate regulation.
Consequences A breeding ban may be defensible, but a more far-reaching ban on keeping dolphins could cause high costs, legal proceedings and the loss of a public-facing function.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article's core is based directly on State Secretary Erkens's statement and a final ruling by the CBb. The precise details of the breeding ban are rightly identified as uncertain.
- confirmed The cabinet is working on a breeding ban for dolphins. — This is stated in the ANP report of 14 October 2026. source
- confirmed There are 22 dolphins living at Dolfinarium in Harderwijk. — This number is mentioned in the report containing Erkens's statement. source
- confirmed The breeding ban could take effect in about two years. — This is the estimate attributed to Erkens in the ANP report. source
- confirmed The CBb overturned two orders subject to penalty payments concerning Dolfinarium. — This is stated in Rechtspraak's official press release of 6 October 2026. source
- confirmed A third order concerning contact between visitors and dolphins remained in force. — The CBb makes this distinction in the same press release. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the cabinet is preparing a breeding ban and wants to phase out the keeping of dolphins. The exact legislation, start date and future of the 22 existing animals have not yet been determined.Sources
- Kabinet wil fokverbod voor dolfijnen — ANP via ZeelandNet
- Lasten onder dwangsom voor Dolfinarium deels van tafel — College van Beroep voor het bedrijfsleven
More on this in Dutch media
- NOS — „dolfijnen dolfinarium”
- Het Parool — „dolfijnen dolfinarium”
- Trouw — „dolfijnen dolfinarium”